Shaolin abbot promises regulation after donation scandal
Xinhua, April 9, 2015
Shaolin Abbot Shi Yongxin has promised to instill stronger monastic principles in the Buddhist institution's monks after one reportedly forced a donor to increase the size of a donation.
A media report claiming a journalist was forced by a Shaolin monk to donate 100 yuan instead of 20 yuan has stirred massive criticism on social media.
Shi said the temple "will prop up teachings and make sure every monk is better guided".
Each donation must be voluntary and it is not the temple's policy to ask for a certain amount, according to the abbot.
Shi, known as the "CEO monk", has courted controversy for developing business operations including lucrative kungfu shows and merchandise. In March, he was moved to distance the temple from media criticism claiming a planned Australian outpost would be over-commercialized.
